Texas sending wildfire help to New Mexico

Associated Press

Published 10:59 am, Friday, June 15, 2012

Photo: Mark Pater

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In this Tuesday, May 29, 2012 photo provided by the U.S. Forest Service, a firefighter walks along a burn out line as part of an effort to contain the nation's largest wildfire in the Gila National Forest in New Mexico. More than 1,200 firefighters are battling the blaze that has charred 340 square miles, or 218,000 acres, of terrain in the rugged mountains and canyons of southwestern New Mexico. (AP Photo/U.S. Forest Service, Mark Pater) less

In this Tuesday, May 29, 2012 photo provided by the U.S. Forest Service, a firefighter walks along a burn out line as part of an effort to contain the nation's largest wildfire in the Gila National Forest in ... more

Photo: Mark Pater

Texas sending wildfire help to New Mexico

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Emergency responders from Texas are headed to New Mexico to help in recovery efforts from a wildfire that has destroyed more than 200 homes.

The Texas Forest Service said Friday that 11 emergency personnel from Texas will be among 15 visiting New Mexico this weekend to aid in recovery efforts from the Little Bear Fire near Ruidoso, a vacation spot popular among Texans.

The group assembled by forest service official Bob Koenig will organize meetings, establish relationships with homeowners and government officials and do damage assessment.

The Little Bear fire has burned about 59 square miles and destroyed at least 224 homes.

Last year, more than 16,000 emergency responders from all 50 states helped Texas through a devastating fire season.